TABLE OF CONTENTS
MISSION.. 3
THE PROGRAM... 3
HISTORY. 3
PHILOSOPHY
4
TEACHERS. 5
DAILY SCHEDULE. 5
THINGS AROUND THE CENTER. 6
OPEN DOOR POLICY/PARENT
INVOLVEMENT. 6
HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS. 6
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES. 7
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT. 7
SNACK/LUNCHES. 7
SNACK CALENDAR. 8
REST TIME. 8
SHARING DAYS/TOYS FROM HOME. 8
LICENSING REGULATIONS. 9
DRIVEWAY SAFETY. 9
EXTRA DAYS/HOURS. 9
ILLNESS POLICY. 9
MEDICATION.. 11
SUNSCREEN AND INSECT
REPELLENT. 12
SIGN IN/OUT. 12
PICK-UP POLICY. 12
LATE PICK-UPS. 12
INCLEMENT WEATHER
CLOSING/DELAYS. 12
FUNDRAISING.. 13
VACATIONS/HOLIDAYS/IN-SERVICE
DAYS. 13
FIELDTRIPS. 13
SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE AND
NEGLECT. 14
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY……………………………………………………………15
ENROLLMENT. 14
GRIEVA NCE
PROCEDURE……………………………………………………………………….15
DEPOSITS. 15
TUITION PAYMENTS. 15
BILLING.. 15
SELLING SPOTS/SWITCHES. 15
SUPPLY FEE. 16
WITHDRAWAL FROM LEARNING
LADDER. 16
THANK YOU.. 16
PARENT HANDBOOK
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM... 17
At Learning
Ladder, our mission is to provide a dynamic and enriching preschool experience
for children based on the children’s interest. This program is a child structured play center.
- We want children to feel safe and free
to explore.
- We want children to learn at their own
pace and have choices.
- We want children to learn social
skills as well as academic skills.
- We want children to leave the Learning
Ladder feeling prepared for school.
The Learning
Ladder Children’s Center is a full day preschool program that serves children
ages three years through five. On
occasion we will take a child younger than three, provided that child is no
longer wearing diapers, uses the toilet, and is ready for preschool (Heather
will evaluate the child for preschool readiness). Learning Ladder is licensed to care for up to thirteen
children daily in the preschool program.
This is subject to change depending on space. The center is open
year-round and the hours of operation are from 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM.
Since fall of
2003, Learning Ladder has been part of the preschool partnership with Thatcher
Brook Primary School. Working in
conjunction with Thatcher Brook Primary School allows children at Learning
Ladder to attend a formal preschool program that mirrors the one offered at
Thatcher Brook - with specific
standards and a curriculum that provides children with the readiness skills to
enter kindergarten.
Learning Ladder
Children’s Center was established in August of 2001 by Heather Izor. Prior to starting the Learning Ladder,
Heather worked for eleven years at Turtle Island Children’s Center in
Montpelier. She spent 8 years
teaching preschool, one year with infants and two with toddlers. She was a team coordinator there as
leader of the preschool classrooms.
She has spent time teaching Sunday School at a local church and has had
experience with the Laraway school in Johnson working with troubled teens. She also has cared for children
involved with Parents Anonymous group, again working with a group of young
children.
The name “Learning
Ladder” suggests that children here will learn things one step at a time and at
their own pace. The center also
allows room for risk taking and lots of practicing. Our center motto is “climb high and reach for the stars!”
Philosophy
Learning Ladder is
a play based preschool program.
Children learn through play in all developmental areas. Children are given lots of
uninterrupted time to play and through that play children are working on:
cooperation, sharing, interacting, problem solving, respect, taking turns,
social skills and self-help skills.
At the same time children are also gaining exposure and opportunity to
learn math, science, reading/literacy and social studies. Children learn these skills, again,
through play.
Children
are respected here at LL and practice that respect with their friends, adults,
the materials they use and the space they share inside and out. Our goal is that children feel good
about themselves, feel safe and feel comfortable enough to practice these
skills and take risks as they learn and accomplish. Children will get support and help from staff as they need
or want it. Children will be
constantly praised for all their efforts and accomplishments. LL has a “I Did It Myself “ Bell. When children try and succeed something
for the first time they get to ring this bell. At that time the group cheers for the child and his/her
accomplishment in recognition.
LL
works in collaboration with TBPS.
We are part of the universal preschool
Our
roles as teachers:
*to
co-explore the learning experience with the children
*to
provoke ideas, problem solving and conflicts
*to
take ideas from the children and return them for further exploration
*to
organize the classroom and materials to be aesthetically pleasing
*to
organize materials to help children make thoughtful decisions about their day
and their choices.
*to
document their progress
*to
help children make connections and support their learning and experiences
*to
form a meaningful relationship among other teachers and parents
*foster
consistancy between home, school and community
Heather Izor-
Heather has a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education from Johnson State
College. Heather has 21 years
experience with children, infants to preschool. Heather was born and raised in Vermont and resides upstairs
with her husband, Darryl, 13 year old daughter, Tyra, and son, Kyler, three, who is currently attending Learning Ladder.
Blaise Smith M. Ed.-Blaise is originally from Vermont. She lived in South Jersey for a few years
where she worked in a private preschool as a toddler teacher.
Blaise went to Norwich University and received two Bachelor degrees in
English and Psychology and minored in Education. She is a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education through the University of Phoenix. Blaise has a daughter, Elaina Jane (6) who went to Learning Ladder and a son Dallas (2) who is currently attending Learning Ladder. She is married to Martin, the chef at Junipers and they are expecting their third child in March!
Morning:
7:00 - 9:00 Arrivals, Exploration Time
9:00 - 9:15 Snack
9:15 - 9:30 Rotation
9:30 - 10:00 Rug Time/Sharing (song, stories, games, calendar, puppets, activities, etc)
10:00 - 11:00 Discovery/Project Time
11:00 - 11:30 Lunch Time
11:30 - 11:45 Job Time/Using the bathroom
11:45 - 12:45 Outside Time
12:45 - 2:45 Rest Time with stories, story tapes, music
2:45 - 3:00 Snack time
3:00 - 5:00 Free play inside and out, departures
*
This schedule is flexible with projects or interests that come up!
It
would be beneficial to have your child here before 9:00 to give plenty of time
for social play time. Lots of
learning happens during “play time”.
It also helps with transition to Snack Time and Meeting Time.
·
Each
child has a journal with artwork, photos of experiences etc.
·
Each
child has their own art cubby (drawer) to put artwork and personal belongings.
·
We
have meeting time every day.
·
Daily
notes go home everyday with highlights of your child’s day.
·
Parents
can pick up their mail on their child’s clipboard.
·
Children
have an extra clothes basket in the bathroom.
·
Children
have their own nap bucket with a blanket, mat, pillow and stuffy.
·
Children
have access to a computer (monitored) which provides another avenue for learning.
·
Children
have one day of week for sharing.
Children can bring something from home to share on their given day.
·
There
is a “Good-bye Step” by the window for children to say good-bye to their
parents as they leave.
The
door is always open here at the Learning Ladder. Feel free to stop in at any time for a visit. If you would like to stay for a longer
visit we ask that you arrange this with the staff before hand. We work closely with families
(parents, grandparents, teachers and other community members). There are many ways for families to be
involved with the center:
·
Helping
out with fieldtrips; driving, chaperoning and/or organizing one.
·
Coming
in to share your time; reading stories, teaching a lesson, art activity,
singing, cleaning etc.
·
Attending
special events; cookouts, parties, conferences, other socials
·
Communicating
through notes, phone calls, emails etc.
·
Helping
out with fundraisers
We
recognize and celebrate holidays.
We appreciate and respect all ethnic backgrounds and religions. Children
and families are encouraged to take part with the celebrations as we learn the
holidays throughout the year. We
celebrate birthdays with the children with special snack, song, card etc.
During
the year we hold one and/or two conferences. The first one being at the beginning of the year which helps
us get to know you and your child a little better. It’s important to get familiar with your child’s needs and
routines and for the family to learn more about our program. The second one will be in the spring
and this one will be in written form and we will talk about your child’s
developmental growth. If for some
reason you are unable to attend a conference a packet with conference material
will be sent home with you.
Throughout the year if you have questions, concerns, or would like a
conference, please feel free to call or email us. These meetings are 30 minutes.
We
guide children to use good behavior.
Our approach to good behavior is to teach children skills to use their
words, and to control their emotions in order to take part in the group. Children need to know their limits and
boundaries and that physical aggression is not acceptable. Children are praised for good behavior
and are guided to make good choices.
Most behavior that is disruptive can be redirected in a positive
manner. Children have input with
the ground rules of the center. Thus children take responsibility for their
actions in a positive way.
Occasionally we have “board meetings” whereby we meet with the children
as a group to discuss an issue that is causing disruption to everyone’s day; at
these meetings, we address the problem and discuss how we must work together to
solve it.
Learning Ladder provides two snacks, one
in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The snacks, each day, should be nutritious and low sugar. There are times when the children make
their own snacks through cooking projects. We have a rolling snack calendar and each family is
responsible for sending in snack one day a month. The snack should be nutritious and enough to feed 14
children. This number may change year to year. Children bring in their own
healthy lunch with a drink. The
Learning Ladder does not heat up lunches so please pack something that you know
your child will eat cold.
Feel free to send warm foods in a thermos. We try to encourage children to open the containers in
their lunchboxes themselves. When
packing lunches please use child-friendly containers and write your child’s
name on the container. Some of the
things end up in the sink or in other children’s lunchboxes. Lunchtime is 30 minutes, allowing time
for lots of interactions and story sharing. This allows ample time for the children to eat a
good lunch.
Please
refrain from sending in sugary foods, candy, soda, fruit snacks, cakes, cookies
etc. If sent in we will put it
aside and saved later, to go home with.
High sugar foods effect behaviors and moods in young children.
As
you have read the above, each family will be responsible for providing snack
for the entire group once a month. If you choose not to provide for the day that you are
assigned, you may buy out for $5.00.
Please drop the $5 in the tuition box with a note attached indicating
your child’s name and the month.
If you miss snack, you can make it up by asking Heather what
food/beverage supplies are needed.
If you do not make it up, $5 will be added to your next week’s
tuition.
Rest
time is from 12:45-2:45pm. It is
required by the state that children rest when they are here all day. The children have a story read to them
and then listen to story tapes for about 20-25 minutes before listening to
soothing music. It’s important for
children to rest their bodies after running all morning. It also helps with brain
development. Children rest
with mats, blankets, pillows and any thing from home that is comforting for the
child (stuffed animal, doll, sleeping bag etc.). Rest time things will be kept in your child’s nap bucket (in
the rest room) and will be sent home every two weeks to be washed. At times you may hear from your child,
“I don’t like rest time, I don’t want to go to school”. When and if this happens it would great
if you could support and explain the importance of rest time and how it keeps
us all “healthy”. Children that
“don’t” sleep will receive quiet activities on their mat after 30 minutes of
resting. Rest time is another way
to keep us healthy. Thank you
Sharing
days are everyday. Children have
one day a week that they can share.
That will be determined at the beginning of the year and posted on the
door. Please only send in a toy or
object on that day. If toys come
in on other days we ask the child to put it in his/her cubby. Children may bring in something of
their choice from home to share with the group. During Meeting Time the children are invited to tell the
group about what they brought in to share. What the children say is written down exactly as it is spoken,
and this is shared with you on the daily sheet. Children typically love to be in the spot light and the
center of attention, so sharing is fun for them. It also gives the children practice speaking in a small
group and gives them the opportunity to get to know each other a little better. It may be suggested that
the child keep the toy in his/her cubby if it becomes hard to share. Learning Ladder does not allow toy
weapons of any kind and discourages the use of imaginary weapons during
dramatic play. Children become
involved with a discussion of weapons and the safety of weapons when they
choose to pretend to play them.
During outside time the children will not use sticks as weapons and,
again, are reminded of the danger surrounding weapon play.
Note: Please send in a toy/object ONLY on
your child’s sharing day. Please
keep all other things at home. We
do not have Sharing Time during the summer so please keep toys at home. Thank you.
Because
Learning Ladder is licensed by the State of Vermont, any issue that is not
specifically addressed by the provisions of this handbook, shall be resolved
pursuant to the provisions of the Early Childhood Program Licensing
Regulations, issued by the State of Vermont, Department of Social and
Rehabilitation Services, Child Care Services Division.
When
dropping off or picking up please always shut the engine of your vehicle
off. Please drive with caution
while driving around the driveway.
Children are sometimes playing out front of the center. Be respectful of other cars. Please pull your vehicle to the side
when parking so others can get around you when they are ready to leave or come
in.
Sometimes when a
child is out or on vacation, we have extra days available. If you are interested in obtaining an
extra half or full day, check with Heather. . Extra days
are charged at the “per half/full day” rate. You will receive a blue slip with your extra day charge on
it and you must pay for that day within two days of the date of service. It is prohibited for people to
sell a day if they are not using their contracted day and time. Everything must be approved by
Heather. It is also your
responsibility to pay for your contracted days even if you choose not to use
them, this includes scheduled LL vacations.
If your child
becomes ill at the center, the parent will be notified and the child will be
picked up within the hour of the call.
During that time your child will be comforted in a quiet area. If your child becomes sick at home and
will be absent, please call the center to let us know. DO NOT mask your child with medicine
(Tylenol/Advil) and send them in.
This does not make a fever go away but makes your child comfortable. Your child is still contagious and it
is not going to do any good for your child to send them in.
Please make sure
that the center has an updated immunization record of your child. The State of Vermont requires that it
is on file.
Please make sure
that the information in your child’s file is accurate (phone numbers, pagers,
cell phone etc.). This will make
it easier to locate a parent if your child becomes ill. If we are unable to locate a parent,
then we will go down the emergency list in your child’s file.
Excludable
Conditions:
·
a
fever of 100F or more
·
rashes
that the caregiver cannot identify
·
diarrhea-more
than 3 times in 24 hours or persists for more than 2 days (48 hours)
·
cannot
participate with group and the daily routine
·
vomiting
more than 2 times within a 24 hour period
·
any
discharge from the eye
·
goopy
nose with infection, severe coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing.
A child may return
to the center 24 hours after the symptoms have disappeared and without
medication (please do not mask the symptoms with Tylenol, Advil, Motrin or
other meds and send child in)
·
fever
·
vomiting
·
diarrhea
A child that has
been out with the following illness may return to the center according to the
following:
·
“Pink
Eye” (conjunctivitis)-24 hours after treatment is started and there is no more
discharge.
·
Sore
throat with fever-after seen by a doctor. If strep is confirmed-24 hours after
first dose of medication.
·
Oozing
rashes-return after seen by a doctor
·
Rashes
that are accompanied by other symptoms (fever, discolor, behavior change, open
wounds)-return after seen by a doctor.
·
Cold
sores that are oozing-return when no longer oozing.
·
Insect
bites and having trouble breathing-return after seen by a doctor.
·
Severe
stomachache-return when pain is gone.
·
Diarrhea
diagnosed as either E.coli:0157:H7*,campylobacter*, cryptosporidiosis*,
shigella*, salmonella* or giardia*-may return to the center after seeing their
doctor and when the Health Department says it’s okay.
·
Chicken
Pox-return after all lesions are crusted over and dry
·
Fifth
Disease-by the time the rash is evident, the child is considered no longer
infectious.
·
Hand,
foot and mouth disease (Coxsackie Virus)-may return after the doctor says the
child may return
·
Head
Lice-return after the first dose of treatment (7-10 days after the first
treatment) There is a No Nit policy.
·
Hepatitis
A- return once the Department of Health approves.
·
Hepatitis
B- return after seen by the child’s doctor who says child may return.
·
HIV
(Aids virus)- return after seen by the child’s doctor who says child may
return.
·
Impetigo-return
24 hours after treatment has started.
·
Measles-return
6 days after onset of rash.
·
Mumps-return
9 days after onset of swelling.
·
Ringworm-return
24 hours after treatment has started.
·
Rubella-return
6 days after onset of rash.
·
Scabies-return
24 hours after treatment has started.
·
Shingles-return
when sores can be covered: if that is not possible then return after sores
crust over.
·
Strep
throat (streptococcal infection)-return 24 hours after antibiotics treatment
has started.
·
Tuberculosis-
return when the Department of Health has given approval.
·
Whooping
cough (Pertussis)-return 5 days after antibiotics are started or 3 weeks after
onset of cough.
If your child
needs medicine during the hours they are at the Learning Ladder you must fill
out a form (Authorization Form) each time. Please hand the medicine to a teacher as it will be stored
in a locked box. The form will be
clipped to your child’s clipboard.
A teacher will sign the daily chart after administering the
medicine. Please do not put the
medicine in your child’s lunch box.
A form will need
to be filled out, once, giving us permission to apply sunscreen here at the
Learning Ladder. Please label your
child’s sunscreen and insect repellant bottle upon arrival.
Vermont State
Child Care Licensing Regulations requires you to sign your child in and out
everyday. The chart is on
the clipboard located by the daily charts (peg board). Please use the clock next to the
clipboard to note the time.
The only people
authorized to pick up your child are the ones listed in your child’s file
(emergency people). If you wish
someone, not listed, to pick up then please send in a written permission or
call to talk with Heather. We will
not send home your child with anyone unless we have prior permission, even if
it is “Grandma and Grandpa”!
Anyone other than parents should have permission (verbally or written).
There will be a
charge for late pickups when children are picked up after 5:30 p.m. The charge is $5.00 for the first five
minutes and $1.00 for every minute thereafter. This also applies for half-day schedules as well. Half-day pick ups are at 12:00. Late fees will go on a blue slip that
will be attached to your child’s clipboard and are due within two days of the
date issued. Please plan
accordingly when picking up. If you would like to stay and visit please come
earlier then 5:30. If you know you
are going to be late, please call the center. A teacher will start calling a parent at 5:30. If we are unable to locate a parent,
the teacher will start down the emergency list.
When schools are
closed or delayed due to weather for the Washington West School District,
Learning Ladder Children’s Center will be closed or delayed. Please listen to WDEV or watch
WCAX. You will also hear the
listings on the radio (550am, 92.9fm and most others). We close when Thatcher Brook Primary
School closes. Families are
required to pay for every other inclement weather day. Learning Ladder alternates
tuition. For example: the first
snow day parents pay for the day, the second snow day you will be credited for
the day, the third snow day parents pay, etc.
Learning
Ladder will also be delayed if TBPS is delayed. If the schools are delayed for 90 minutes then we will open
at 8:30 am. Tuition is paid for
delays as if it’s a regular day.
If
TBPS closes early once they are at school because of weather Learning Ladder
has the right to call parents and request for an early pick up. Heather will make that decision at that
time.
If
TBPS is closed for vacation LL will follow other school districts (Washington
South) for bad weather (snow, ice etc.).
Heather will post and mail information if it changes.
Learning Ladder
will hold two fundraisers during the year (Sally Foster gift wrap in October
and a dinner/silent auction in the spring) in order to raise money for new
toys, playground/outdoor equipment and improvements to the school. Fundraising money is always used for
this purpose only. Fundraising
requires a lot of work, planning and involvement from families and although we
wish we never had to fundraise, in order to keep tuition low and keep the
center’s toys and related necessities in good shape, it is a necessity. We ask that all families participate
with fundraising efforts. If you
cannot help with fundraising, there is a “buy-out” option. You can buy out for $75.00/family. If you buy out, you will not be asked
to participate in the fundraiser(s).
This may change year to year.
Learning Ladder is closed for vacation 3
½ -4 times a year, the week of Christmas, long weekend in February, one week in
April and one week during the summer. We are also closed for regularly observed
holidays and for two “In-Service” days in the fall and spring (this is to
attend the annual Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children
Conference or to plan curriculum).
It is your responsibility to pay for these vacations, as normal, as
stated in your contract. Payment
is due at the regular time, the Friday before the week of service. Anything late will be charged a late
fee. Please see the school
calendar for the complete list of closings. This is also subject to change a bit more during summer
camp.
Learning Ladder Children’s Center will
take fieldtrips out into the community.
We are always looking for extra help. There will be a permission slip that parents will sign prior
to the trip. It will be posted on
the bulletin board. Children are
required to be in a car/booster seat unless they are eight years old. Please label your child’s car seat as
it will make it easier for loading children and getting your child’s seat back
to you.
We, as professional
caregivers, are mandated by the State of Vermont to report any suspicious signs
of neglect or abuse. The director
of the center will immediately call of the Department of Social and
Rehabilitation Services to file a report.
The
Learning Ladder Children’s Center does not discriminate based on race, color, citizenship status, national origin,
ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental
disability, marital/civil union status, veteran status, political affiliation,
or any other factor protected by law.
Grievance Procedure
When a concern or
issue(s) is brought in by parents/families every effort
Is made to
resolve the problem. The concern
is heard respectively and documented.
If the issue cannot be resolved through conversation then a meeting will
be set up to talk more in detail.
A mediator may be asked to sit in on the meeting as an objective
bystander with permission from the family. Problem solving will occur in hopes that the issue can and
will be resolved.
If the issue can
be resolved then minutes from the meeting will be written up and signed by each
party. If the issue is not
resolved it will, then, be determined if another meeting(s) need to be arranged
or other means of action will be implemented. It will be determined whether the family can continued being
enrolled here at Learning Ladder (with every effort and support) or other
arrangements need to be made.
To
enroll a child, parents complete an application form and pay a $50
non-refundable registration fee to hold a space. If space is not available, the child will be placed on a
waiting list. If space is
available, parents complete the following forms:
·
An
Enrollment Agreement
·
Child
Information Form
·
Emergency/Medical
Form
·
Immunization
Certificate
·
Parent
Handbook Acknowledgement Form
Parents are asked
to keep all information in their child’s record up to date such as medical
information, emergency contact numbers, changes of address, etc.
Upon enrollment,
parents are required to pay a deposit in the amount of two week’s tuition. This deposit will be applied to their
child’s last two weeks of enrollment at Learning Ladder. Deposits are forfeited if a child is
withdrawn without two weeks written notice.
Tuition is on a
pre-payment basis and is due on or before Friday morning for the upcoming week
of childcare services. Parents are
required to pay for days contracted even when their child does not attend Learning
Ladder. A child may not attend
Learning Ladder after a month of non-payment. This allowing the family to catch up with payment before
returning.
Billing
occurs on a monthly basis. Payment
is due on a weekly basis, on or before Friday and must be paid prior to the week
of care. A late charge will
be added to your bill if it is past due.
Past due is one week late.
The charge will be $5.00 each week your payment is late and this amount
will be reflected on your monthly invoice. Darryl Izor is Learning Ladder’s bookkeeper, and parents
should contact him directly with any billing questions or problems. You can leave him a note in the tuition
box, call him or e-mail him at dizor@email.com. Darryl will invoice each family at the
beginning of the month. You can
have your invoice e-mailed to you if you prefer. Please set this up with Darryl.
It
is prohibited to sell your child’s spot if you know your child will be
out. All financial transactions
will be done through Learning Ladder.
You are responsible for paying for your contracted slot. If your child will be out it will be up
to the staff to fill the spot with an extra child and that family will be
billed an extra day charge.
On
September first of each year, a fee of $24 ($2 per month) per child is charged
to each family to help cover the cost of art and project supplies. This amount will be pro-rated if your
child enrolls after September 1st.
A written, dated notice of
intent to withdraw must be submitted to Heather Izor two weeks prior to
withdrawal from Learning Ladder or a withdrawl form is filled out. Your deposit will be put towards the
last two weeks of childcare.
Without written notice or extenuating circumstances, parents forfeit
their deposit.
Thank you for taking the
time to learn more about us.
If you have questions, please ask.
If you have already enrolled, “welcome.” We hope you enjoy your experience here and we look forward
to getting to know you and your child.
“Climb high and
reach for the stars!”
I,
______________________________, having enrolled my child/children
______________________________ at Learning Ladder, have read the Learning
Ladder Parent Handbook and agree to adhere to the policies and procedures
listed within as long as my child attends Learning Ladder.
Signature:
_________________________
Date:___________________